So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Parallel translations
- WEB Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’”
- BSB So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
- NKJV So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
- NASB So you too, when you do all the things which were commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’ ”
- NLT In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Disciples are to say, even after full obedience, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' Humility, not merit, marks true service.
Overview
Jesus drives home that obedience earns no claim on God; we remain humble, unprofitable servants. This guards against self-righteousness and pride. It points to the gospel truth that we are accepted not by our works but by God's grace in Christ, even as we gladly serve Him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- 1 Cor 9:16–17For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
- Job 22:2–3Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
- 1 Pet 5:5–6Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
- 1 Cor 15:9–10For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
- Job 35:6–7If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?
- Rom 11:35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
- Isa 64:6But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
- Prov 16:2–3All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
- 1 Chr 29:14–16But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
- Rom 3:12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
- Phil 3:8–9Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
- Matt 25:37–40Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
- Isa 6:5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
- Matt 25:30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
- Ps 16:2–3O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;
- Ps 35:6–7Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.
- Phlm 1:11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 17:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.